Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-10-31
A MASTER OF FENCE.
A SWORDSMAN KILLS THIRTEEN or.
PONENTS IN A SINGLE HOUR.

The Story Of an Extraordinary Combat.
A Regimental Quarrel settled In this
Presence of the Whole Army Of French
anil Italians.
To give an idea Of what a brave man
.an do if he knows fencing thoroughly,
and but keeps cool and collected in dan
ger. we will relate an historical duel. So
extraordinary is this combat that it would
be held romance had il net been wit
messed by a whole army. The hero is Jean
Louis. one Of the greatest masters OF the
beginning Of this century, and the duel
happened in Madrid in 1913. He was the
master at arms of the Thirty second regi-
ment of French infantry. The First reg
iment, composed entirely Of Italians,
formed part of the same brigade
Regimental esprit de corps and rivalries
of nationality caused constant quarrels.
when swords were often whipped out or
bullets exchanged. After n small battle
had occurred in the streets Of Madrid, in
which over 200 French and Italian SOL
diers had taken part, the officers of the
two regiments decided to give such
breaches of order great blow and to re-
establish discipline: they decreed that the
masters at arms of the two regiments
should take up the quarrel and fight it
out.
AWAITING THE WORD.
Imagine a whole army in battle array
on one of the large plains that surround
Madrid. In the center large ring is left
open for the contestants. This spot is
raised above the plain, so that not one of
the spectators will miss one phase of the
contest.
The drum is heard; two men naked to
the waist step in the ring The first is
tall and strong: his black eyes rove dis
dainfully upon the gaping crowd; he is
Giacomo Ferrari, the celebrated Italian.
The second, tall, also handsome, and with
muscles like steel, stands modestly await
ing the word Of command; his name is
Jean Louis. The witnesses assume their
places on either side Of their principals.
A deathlike Silence ensues.
'On guardn'
The two masters cross swords; Giacomo
Ferrari lunges repeatedly at Jean Louis;
but in vain, his every thrust is met by q
parry. He makes up his mind to bide his
chance, and caresses and leases his OppO-
nent's blade. Jean Louis, calm and
watchful, lends himself to the play, when,
quicker than lightning, the Italian jumps
aside with loud yell, and makes Q terri
BILE lunge mt Jean Loufs-a F1orentine
trick, often successful But, with extra
ordinary rapidity, Jean Louis has parried,
and risposts quickly in the shoulder.
1T is nothing" cries GiacomO, - mere
scratch" and they again fall on guard;
almost directly he is hit In the breast.
This time. the sword Of Jean Louis, who
is now attacking, penetrates deeply. Gia-
como's face becomes livid, his sword drops
from his hand and he falls heavily on the
turf. He is dead.
THE NEXT MAN.
Jean Louis is already in position; he
wipes his reeking blade, then, with the
point of his sword in the ground, he
calmly awaits the next man.
The best fencer Of the First regiment
has just been carried away a corpse; but
the day is bot yet over. Fourteen adver-
saries are there. impatient to measure
swords with the conqueror, burning to
avenge the master they had deemed in
vincible.
Jean Louis has hardly had two minutes
rest. He is ready. A new adversary
stands before him. A sinister click of
swords is heard, lunge, a parry, ris-
post, and then cry.'a sigh, and all is
oyer. a second body Is before Jean Louis.
A third adversary advances. They
wanted Jean Louis to rest u am not
tired. she answered with a smile. 'F no.
:. The signal is given. The Italian has
closely watched Jean Louis play, and
thinks he has guessed the secret of his
victories. He multiplies his feints and
tricks, then, all at once. bounding like a